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Tag Archives: interior decorating

Whozz on Houzz?

So, you Tweet on Twitter, Hangout on Google+ Hangouts, and Pin on Pinterest. I won't even ask about Facebook, Instagram, Periscope, or Blab. But are you on Houzz? If not, why not? For those engaged in the design community, with over 35 million unique views per month, Houzz could become your #1 source of new business!

Here's how Houzz describes its business:

Houzz has built a marketplace for home products and professional services. By integrating content, community and commerce, and by bringing all industry players together (service providers, homeowners, manufacturers, brands, etc.), Houzz has created an ecosystem for home renovation and design.

If you're business is related to architecture, home building, home renovation, improvement, or design, then Houzz could easily become your best social media tool. Houzz has a very holistic approach to the industry and to running a social platform. Here are the fundamental elements of the Houzz business model:

Photo Database

IdeaBooks

Editorial Content

Professional Directory

Though Houzz started as a mobile app, and still gets extraordinary wide use in the mobile environment, Houzz has become the overall largest website and online community in the home design, decorating, and improvement industry regardless of platform.

If you're already using Houzz, please leave us a note in the comments section describing your Houzz experience. How long have you been on Houzz? How are you using Houzz? Are you making new connections, getting views, engaging with contemporaries in your field? Share your experiences with us. We'd love to hear from you.

It’s the details that really bring a room together! If you’re in the process of decorating a super glamorous room or a room for kids, don’t call the project done until you’ve added glittery light switch plates. This project is cheap and easy, but it has a big impact.

Supplies:

Flathead screw driver

Tacky glue

Craft glitter

Foam paint brushes

Clear acrylic spray coat

Paper plates or newspaper

Glitter is messy so lay down something to protect the surface you’re working on. Newspaper is a common favorite, but paper plates work much better. They will catch all of the loose glitter and keep it within the rim of the plate. They also make it easy move the finished project to a different place while it dries, so you can clear your workspace for your next project. They prevent glitter mixing, too, if you are going to create more than one switch plate and use different colors on each.

Remove the switch plate from the wall using a flathead screwdriver and clean it, or buy new plates. Using a foam paint brush, start by coating the switch plate with tacky glue. Do this thoroughly and evenly, not forgetting the sides and edges. Next, sprinkle generously with glitter. One color will be sparkly but also understated. If you want more excitement, get creative and try using more than one color. You can mix them in light layers, or you can create designs by sprinkling them separately in various areas around the switch-plate.

Once the plate is completely covered in glitter lightly pat the glitter to ensure it sticks. Pack it toward the edges and sides as well. Slide the screwdriver gently under the edges of the switch plate to ensure it doesn’t dry stuck to the paper plate. Allow it to dry completely – refer to the back of the glue bottle for times. We recommend at least three hours. Once it’s dry, pick it up and shake vigorously to ensure that any loose glitter falls away. You might want to tap off the bulk of it into the plate, then step outside to wave it around a bit and get rid of the rest. Last, go to a well ventilated area and spray it with an acrylic clear coat to set it permanently and give it a finished, glossy look.

No country has the magical sun-rinsed colors of Greece, as this photo demonstrates. For one couple, the memories of their visits to Greece have made it their favorite travel destination. In order to keep those memories fresh, they decided to renovate their kitchen using this photograph for inspiration. Let’s take a look at how they translated this look.

In the photo below, it’s easy to see how color came into the equation. The bright white stucco walls and clean lines are mirrored in the shiny white contemporary cabinets. The three blues also appear in the kitchen. The rich cobalt blue shows on the back wall, the lighter blue of the small door to the lower left was used for the countertops, and even the vivid turquoise of the upper-right railing shows up in the light turquoise vase sitting on the counter.

The best match comes with the flooring. The couple discovered a good-quality vinyl that echoed the feeling and style of the grey street stones set in concrete. The primary difference in the look was that the vinyl uses a smaller-size stone image, which works better given the smaller dimensions of the kitchen.

Do you have a favorite photo, country or memory? Have you considered using that as a basis for decorating your home? With the right imaginative approach, you too can make your home magically connected to your past and make what was only a vision come to life. Maybe you’re going on a trip for winter vacation or at the beginning of the year; either way, keep in mind your destination can be your new interior inspiration!